Just tell em you're a recovering alcoholic. Should end any confusion pretty quickly.
The second question has to be resolved with applying a recovery programme to your daily life, accepting life on lifes terms and an absolute desire to want to stay sober more than getting drunk and everyhting that entails.
Oh yer, total and utter acceptance that you're an alkie.
Just my humble opinion obviously and everyone is different or so theeir alcoholic mind will have them believe! haha.
peace